One of those unsuspecting boozers that really impressed me on first visit, and has remained a favourite when pub crawling, a quiet beer or can't decide where to go. Spacious, multiple rooms, mismatched furniture, dart board, huge garden and tables out front to embrace the sun-trap in the summer evenings while inhaling the Surrey SUV fumes, make this a pub that will surely tick many people's boxes. Food is pub grub but a focus on pizzas and "best burgers in town", although I've not tried them. Bold claim that needs to be tested, however Surbiton has a distinct lack of burger joints! Next time. Beer still seems to be Young's despite being a Ram Co although could be Punch Taverns now. I'm not sure. Opted for 1664. Decent. Clean. Cold. Your usual macro lager options and 4 ales that rarely change, but the spirit/mixers/cocktails get a lot of effort put into them. Service was friendly as always, guy behind the bar brought a water bowl and treat over for the puppy without being asked, checked in and made conversation. Another locals local pub where you don't need to be local to feel local. History-wise, this dates back to 1689 first documented when the Landlord was prosecuted for serving on a Sunday. The sign on the front dates back to 1812, leased by Youngs since 1831, and around this time a "trace horse" was kept at the pub to assist wagons up the hill. In 1920s and 1930s the front yard was rented out by Charles Cooper to prep racing cars for Brooklands driver Kaye Don. After the war, Charles went on to found Cooper Cars, which had 16 grand Prix Victories between '58 and '67, and the name lives on now as Mini Cooper. More recently, Joe Reilly was a landlord here for 35 years until 2002, a mammoth stint, and was awarded an MBE for his relentless charity work. (Credit again to local historian Richard Holmes). Nowadays, it's family run since 2016, a warm welcome guaranteed, pub quiz on Mondays, 241 pizzas on Tuesdays and happy hour cocktails (5pm-8pm) - your only hard decision will be figuring out which comfy seat you want to slowly submerge yourself into. (Pub has since been repainted, inside remains the same)

Great beer garden and plenty of space indoors. Good selection of beers at decent prices for the area, 2for1 cocktails 5-8 every day is great - however wouldn’t recommend paying full price for one. Pizzas are great if you like thin base - burgers are small however.